My WOO-intuition based on the material provided by my senses involving teeth (and in general observations of how life works) always told me that with tooth decay there is more going on then just a mechanical process of bacteria producing acid that etches the tooth. The research cited here shows that there is a flow mechanism inside the teeth that is fundamental to dental health. Dr. Steinman’s research showed proof of interactivity between the oral cavity and the metabolism of the body. The occurrence of decay is not due primarily to external contamination of the tooth through acid producing foods and bacteria, but through an upset of normal tooth metabolism. (4) Teeth are not solid, but consist of a series of dentin tubules and parallel enamel rods. Dr. Steinman proved that substances moved from within the body, through the pulp chamber, through the interstitial fluid to inside the dentin tubules, through the enamel and into the mouth. He proved this fact by injecting radioactive acriflavin hydrochloride into the abdominal cavities of rats and recovering it in the dentin tubules within six minutes and in the enamel within an hour. He believed this action to be a self-cleansing mechanism. The constant flushing of the tooth structure prevents the movement of microbes into the tooth and prevents the destructive effects of acids formed by foods. At the same time, essential nutrients are introduced into dentin tubules in order to provide a life-supporting environment for dentin, a tissue devoid of any blood supply or nerve innervations. (4) Major problems occur when endocrine function, poor diet or stress negatively affects the hypothalamus, the regulatory gland for dentinal tubular flow. Circulatory problems, associated with ill health or aging also affect dentin tubular flow leading to flow reversal and stagnation. (4) Odontoblasts, which lie outside dentin tubules projecting approximately one-third of the length of the associated dentin tubule, function as the pumps for the dentinal fluid. Steinman demonstrated that odontoblasts were hormonally and biochemically linked to the metabolism of the body, as well as to the health and function of the teeth. (4) If odontoblasts cease to pump fluid, capillary action sucks bacteria and other noxious materials from the mouth or surrounding periodontium into the tooth, leading to microbial contamination and biofilm formation within the dentin tubules. Steinman produced many slides demonstrating this flow going in both directions. Since the tooth is not an isolated structure, the continued maintenance of a sterile field is impossible. As part of the decay process, Steinman identified the early loss of magnesium, copper, iron and manganese, all of which are active in cellular oxidation and necessary for the metabolism of the odontoblasts. He showed that the addition of copper, iron, and manganese to a decay producing diet, almost abolished the decay rate. (4) Dr. Steinman’s most dramatic discovery was that if you plot the course of dental decay: initially, function is altered, followed by the reversal of the dentinal tubular fluid flow. Next, inflammation occurs in the pulp chamber adjacent to the dentin, and finally, the disease spreads to the enamel, before the clinical appearance of the cavity. (4)
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:21:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015